01 or 02 Z06 to purchase?

[loudv8]

New to board and first post.
In the market for a black Z06 and I'm aware of the performance and other differences between 01 and 02.
Still can't decide to hunt down an 01 or 02. What do ya think?

[PerforminNorman]

Originally Posted by loudv8

New to board and first post.
In the market for a black Z06 and I'm aware of the performance and other differences between 01 and 02.
Still can't decide to hunt down an 01 or 02. What do ya think?

IMHO:

First of all, you can't go wrong either way.

If you are looking to do heavy mods, I'd look at the money savings in buying an 01.

If you don't plan on doing much to it, I'd get an 02 and up.

I did this exact thing when I bought my 01. I only got it knowing I was going to do an engine swap.

Have fun looking. Sometimes the hunt is better than the kill.

[IT L GO]

Welcome Aboard the Good Ship Z06

Newer is better. The C5 Z06 with through a constant evolution. Each year had improvements. The 2002 got the most improvements. I would not buy a 2001 unless it had been re-ringed or I was going to change out the motor. However the most important consideration is condition condition condition. The next consideration is price. Buy the newest one you can afford.

[Brandon619]

I bought an 01 Z06 and don't regret a thing. My friend bought an 03 and he has clutch issues and slight oil burning but thats the way he drives. Like Norman said you can't lose either way.

[blkZ06]

welcome to the site and good luck on your search!

there are folks on here with all yrs, ANY Z06 yr is a good one IMHO...if you want the HUD, go with an 02 and newer. small hp diff btwn 01's and 02 and above, but not much

but hey if you find an 01 with no oil issues, you can always add the HUD

[MSiska]

Welcome Aboard! A Z06 of any year will be FUN!!!

[MikeyB]

I wouldn't get the 01 if you don't plan to tear apart the engine, unless the 01 has documentation that the car was reringed. Odds are much more likely that you would have a problem there over an 02. I have an 01 but did a motor swap so I wasn't worried about the engine ring issues. All other areas of the car I haven't had any problems. Other than that, either car is a winner.

[Hardcorvette]

Originally Posted by MSiska

Welcome Aboard! A Z06 of any year will be FUN!!!

Exactly!

[bobby778]

When buying a Z06 --year does not matter--What matters is cond/miles--pay for a very low mile in showroom cond. and you will be happy!!

[bud miller]

know what your buying..look um over..as said above and several million posts on this topic
a Z is a race car with a license plate on it...that should cover some of the territory

[Z O SICK]

I got my 02 for the HUD and the minor improvements that were done in 02

[MADN3SS]

My only regret about getting the 01 was not having the HUD. I can always add it, but it isn't a top priority. Whatever year...you can't go wrong.

[se7en]

I've had an 01 and an 03 and no regrets with either purchase.

I only bought the new one because of a really good deal and much lower miles.

Note: Although the 01 had been re-ringed, it did go through more oil than the 03.

Hud: I love the HUD in the 03, but it does throw a fair bit of glare onto the windshield.

Last thing, if you're very tall, the 01 and 02 have a thinner head liner than the 03-04 and provide a slight headroom advantage.

-7

[loudv8]

Thanks all for your input. This forum is great. I will try to hold out for an 02 unless a "super deal" is found on an 01.
Still have my first Vette which is a 1996 Collector Edition LT4 that I plan to keep. It should keep me entertained till the ZO6 is added to the other empty space in the garage.
Someone out there is in my 02 black Z06!

[ZO6 AL-X]

Any year is fun. Try to find an '01 that has HUD if it's a big deal to you. Besides that, look for low miles and good care.

Good luck!

Alex